Height adjusters with anti-cinch features for occupant restraint systems

ABSTRACT

Shock absorbing seat belt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster can be attached to a vehicle frame between an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point adjacent to an occupant&#39;s shoulder. The height adjuster can include a web clamp that locates a D-ring for positioning a shoulder web portion of the restraint web at a desired height that is comfortable for the occupant. Additionally, the height adjuster can include an anti-cinch feature that can elastically extend in response to tension loads in the shoulder web portion, thereby reducing shock loads from being transmitted to the seat occupant from the shoulder web portion.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/639,258, titled “HEIGHT ADJUSTERS WITH BUILT-INANTI-CINCH FOR OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS,” and filed Mar. 6, 2018, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to web height adjusters foruse in vehicle occupant restraint systems.

BACKGROUND

Seat belts for use in cars, trucks, utility task vehicles (UTVs) andother vehicles often include a turning loop or D-ring near theoccupant's shoulder to support the shoulder web. Typically the seat beltweb will extend upwardly from a retractor, around the D-ring, and thendownwardly at an angle across the occupant's torso. In the event of acollision or other rapid deceleration event that causes locking of theretractor, the D-loop acts as a rigid anchor for the shoulder web andresists forward motion of the occupant.

Some situations can require significant tension in the shoulder web toproperly restrain the occupant, and this tension can result insubstantial discomfort. For example, in recreational utility vehicles(RUVs) or UTVs, aggressive driving in off-road conditions can result inrepeated application of high tension loads in the web, causingdiscomfort and/or fatigue for the operator. U.S. Pat. No. 9,809,193,assigned to Shield Restraint Systems, Inc., discloses shock absorbingheight adjusters for use with restraint systems, and is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a vehicle occupant restraint systemhaving a shock absorbing height adjuster configured in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the shock absorbing height adjuster ofFIG. 1 with the restraint web omitted for purposes of illustration, andFIG. 2B is an isometric view of the shock absorbing height adjuster withthe restraint web installed.

FIG. 2C is an exploded isometric view of the shock absorbing heightadjuster of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and FIG. 2D is a side view of an anti-cinchfeature of the shock absorbing height adjuster configured in accordancewith an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a three-slot D-ring configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a web clamp configured in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are isometric views of a shock absorbing height adjusterconfigured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technologyand in two different operational positions.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view a shock absorbing height adjuster configuredin accordance with an embodiment of the present technology and installedon a vehicle.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view a shock absorbing height adjuster configuredin accordance with another embodiment of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes various embodiments of shockabsorbing seat belt height adjusters and associated systems and methods.In some embodiments, a shock absorbing height adjuster can be attachedto the frame of a vehicle at an upper anchor point and a lower anchorpoint. The shock absorbing height adjuster can include an anti-cinchfeature that is coupled to the upper anchor point and a web strap thatextends downwardly from the anti-cinch feature to the lower anchorpoint. A web clamp can be adjustably positionable at various heightsalong the web strap extending between the lower anchor point and theanti-cinch feature. As described in greater detail below, a restraintweb (e.g., a shoulder web portion of a restraint web) can be routedthrough a first web aperture proximate the lower anchor point, a secondweb aperture in a D-ring that attaches the web strap to the anti-cinchfeature, and then through a third web aperture in the web clamp beforeextending downwardly and across the seat occupant's torso. In operation,the seat occupant can adjust the height of the shoulder web portion bymoving the web clamp up or down on the web strap to a desired locationand then releasably fixing the clamp to the web strap. The anti-cinchfeature can include one or more elastic elements that allow the D-ringto move downwardly in response to tension loads in the shoulder webduring vehicle operation.

Certain details are set forth in the following description and in FIGS.1-7 to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of thepresent technology. In other instances, well-known structures,materials, operations and/or systems often associated with vehicleoccupant restraint systems, including seat belts, web retractors,buckles, adjusters, etc., are not shown or described in detail in thefollowing disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description ofthe various embodiments of the technology. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize, however, that the present technology can bepracticed without one or more of the details set forth herein, or withother structures, methods, components, and so forth.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadestreasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with adetailed description of certain examples of embodiments of thetechnology. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however,any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner willbe overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Descriptionsection.

The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present technologyand are not intended to be limiting of its scope. The sizes of variousdepicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these variouselements may be arbitrarily enlarged to improve legibility. Componentdetails may be abstracted in the Figures to exclude details such asposition of components and certain precise connections between suchcomponents when such details are unnecessary for a completeunderstanding of how to make and use the invention.

Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in theFigures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of thedisclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details,dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit orscope of the present invention. In addition, those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that further embodiments of the invention can bepracticed without several of the details described below.

In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical, or atleast generally similar, elements. To facilitate the discussion of anyparticular element, the most significant digit or digits of anyreference number refers to the Figure in which that element is firstintroduced. For example, element 110 is first introduced and discussedwith reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an occupant restraint system 100 having ashock absorbing height adjuster 110 (“height adjuster”) configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In theillustrated embodiment, the restraint system 100 is mounted to a vehicle(e.g., a UTV) having a vehicle frame 104. The height adjuster 110 isattached to the vehicle frame 104 at an upper anchor point 105 via anupper anchor 112, and at a lower anchor point 107 via a lower anchor 114(which can also be referred to herein as a two slot D-ring 114). Theheight adjuster 110 includes a web strap 124 having a lower end portionattached to the two slot D-ring 114 and an upper end portion attached toa three slot D-ring 118. The three slot D-ring 118 is elasticallycoupled to the upper anchor 112 by means of an anti-cinch feature (notshown in FIG. 1) that is enclosed in a cover 134.

A restraint web 106 can include a first portion 106 a that extendsupwardly from a web retractor 108 and passes through a web aperture 126in the two slot D-ring 114. From there, the first web portion 106 aextends upwardly behind a web clamp 116 and then through a web aperture120 in the three slot D-ring 118 before extending downwardly and passingthrough another web aperture 122 on the front side of the web clamp 116.From the web aperture 122, the web 106 can form a second portion 106 b(e.g., a shoulder web portion) that extends downwardly across the torsoof a seat occupant 102. The second web portion 106 b can slidably passthrough a web connector (not shown) that is coupled to a seat beltbuckle (also not shown) on one side of the seat occupant 102, beforeforming a third web portion 106 c (e.g., a lap web portion) that extendsacross the lap of the seat occupant 102 and attaches to an anchor 109.As described in greater detail below, the anti-cinch feature enables thethree slot D-ring 118 to move upwardly and downwardly a limited distancein response to tension loads on a restraint web 106.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the height adjuster 110 without therestraint web 106 installed, and FIG. 2B is a corresponding isometricview with the restraint web 106 installed. FIG. 2C is an explodedisometric view of the height adjuster 110, and FIG. 2D is a side view ofan anti-cinch feature 240 (which can also be referred to herein as anenergy absorber, energy absorbing feature, shock absorbing feature,shock absorber, etc.) configured in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. Referring to FIG. 2A-2C together, a lower endportion of the web strap 124 extends through an aperture 230 in the twoslot D-ring 114, and an upper end portion of the web strap 124 extendsthrough an aperture 232 in the three slot D-ring 118 to secure the webstrap 124 between the D-ring 114 and the D-ring 118. In the illustratedembodiment, the web strap 124 can be formed from one or more loops ofsufficiently strong web material, such as conventional seat belt webbingof woven nylon. In other embodiments, the web strap 124 can be formed ofa metal or composite material and can be generally rigid. The web strap124 extends through an opening 252 in the web clamp 116 to mount the webclamp 116 to the web strap 124. As described in greater detail below,the web clamp 116 can include a releasable engagement feature thatenables the web clamp to be slidably positioned at any location alongthe length of the web strap 124.

As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the anti-cinch feature 240 includes a web242 having a first attachment loop at a first end portion 244 and asecond attachment loop at a second end portion 246. The first attachmentloop extends through an aperture 236 in the upper anchor 112, and thesecond attachment loop extends through an aperture 238 in the three slotD-ring 118 to couple the three-slot D-ring 118 to the upper anchor 112.The anti-cinch feature 240 further includes a plurality of elastic webportions 248 a-d. The elastic web portions 248 can be formed of elasticmaterials, such as woven elastic material, rubber, etc., and the web 242can be a conventional seatbelt web of, for example, woven nylon. In theillustrated embodiment, the web 242 is folded over on itself toforeshorten its length, and the respective end portions of the elasticweb portions 248 a-d are fixedly attached to the web 242 proximate thecorresponding end portions 244 and 246 by means of stitching 250 orother suitable attachment features. Accordingly, if a tension force isapplied to the ends of the web 242, this force will initially be carriedthrough the elastic web portions 248 a-d, enabling the end portions 244and 246 of the web 242 to move apart in proportion to the applied loadas the elastic portions 248 a-d stretch. Once the web 242 has been fullyextended, however, the web 242 will carry most or at least a portion oftension load. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-cinch feature 240is enclosed in a resilient cover 134 that can be formed from, e.g.,rubber and can protect the anti-cinch feature 240 from exposure to theelements and ingress of dirt, water, and other contaminants.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2B, as discussed above the first web portion106 a can extend from the web retractor 108 upwardly through the webaperture 126 in the two slot D-ring 114 before continuing upward behindthe web clamp 116. From there, the web portion 106 a passes through theweb aperture 120 in the three slot D-ring 118 and then downwardly andthrough the web aperture 122 in the web clamp 116, before extendingdownwardly across the torso of the occupant 102.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the three slot D-ring 118 configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology. As can be seenby, for example, a reference to FIGS. 2A, 2C and 3 together, the threeslot D-ring 118 includes the first web aperture 232 for receiving theweb strap 124, the second web aperture 120 for slidably receiving theshoulder web portion 106 b of the restraint web 106, and the third webaperture 238 for coupling in the three slot D-ring 118 to the second endportion 246 of the web 242 (FIG. 2C).

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the web clamp 116 configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In theillustrated embodiment, the web clamp 116 includes a frame 460 thatrotatably supports a release actuator 462. The release actuator 462 canbe coupled to, for example, a cam member 466 that operates in aconventional manner to clamp the web clamp 116 to the web strap 124(FIGS. 2A-2C) at any desired location along the web strap 124. In someembodiments, for example, the release actuator 462 can be depressible torotate the cam member 466 away from the opening 252 to enable the webstrap 124 to slide therethrough for repositioning of the clamp 116 alongthe web strap 124. Upon releasing the release actuator 462, a biasingmember 464 (not shown schematically) can rotate the cam member 466 backtoward the opening 252 to clamp the web strap 124 in position andprevent the web clamp 116 from moving relative to the web. Although theforegoing discussion describes one embodiment of a web clamp that can beused with the present height adjuster technology, it will be understoodthat the technology described herein is not limited to this particulartype of web adjuster, and can be used with virtually any type ofsuitable web clamp or web locking device known to those of ordinaryskill in the art.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are isometric views of the height adjuster 110 in alower position and an upper position, respectively, in accordance withembodiments of the present technology. It should be appreciated that theweb clamp 116 is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2C, 5A and 5B, andthat the restraint web 106 has been omitted from FIGS. 5A and 5B forpurposes of illustration. Referring to FIGS. 1-5B, to use the heightadjuster 110 the seat occupant 102 can depress the release actuator 462(obscured in FIGS. 5A and 5B) on the web clamp 116 and position the webclamp 116 at any desired location along the web strap 124 between thelower position shown in FIG. 5A and the upper position shown in FIG. 5B,so that the shoulder web portion 106 b is comfortably positioned on theoccupant. During vehicle operation, if the vehicle experiences shockloads that result in high tension loads in the restraint web 106 torestrain the occupant, the anti-cinch feature 240 can reduce the shockloads by enabling the three slot D-ring 118 to move resilientlydownwardly in response the tension in the shoulder web portion 106 b. Inthe event that the shock loads approach, for example, design limitloads, the elastic web portions 248 a-d will fully extend, therebyenabling the web 242 to react the tension loads and prevent therestraint web 106 from extending further.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a shock absorbing height adjuster 610(“height adjuster 610”) mounted to a vehicle frame 604 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present technology. The height adjuster610 is generally similar in structure and function to the heightadjuster 110 described in detail above. For example, the height adjuster610 is attached between an upper anchor 612 and a lower anchor point607, and the first restraint web portion 106 a extends upwardly througha web aperture 619 in a D-ring 618 (e.g., a two slot D-ring), and thendownwardly through another web aperture 622 in a web clamp 616. Asdescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 7, in theillustrated embodiment the restraint web 106 only extends through theD-ring 618 and the web aperture 622 in the web clamp 116, and does notextend through any web aperture in a lower anchor or D-ring (e.g., thetwo slot D-ring 114 described in detail above). Moreover, in thisembodiment the restraint web 116 and the web strap 124 can both extendthrough the same web aperture 619 in the D-ring 618.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view a shock absorbing height adjuster 710(“height adjuster 710”) configured in accordance with another embodimentof the present technology. The height adjuster 710 is generally similarin structure and function to the height adjusters 110 and 610 describedin detail above. For example, the height adjuster 710 includes a D-ring718 that is operably coupled to the upper anchor 112 by means of theanti-cinch feature 240 described in detail above (not shown in FIG. 7but understood to be enclosed within a cover 734 in FIG. 7). The heightadjuster 710 also includes a web clamp 716 that is mounted to andslidable along the web strap 124. An upper end portion of the web strap124 is attached to the D-ring 718 and a lower end portion of the webstrap 124 is attached to a lower anchor 714. The height adjuster 710 isconfigured to be attached to an upper portion of the vehicle frame viathe upper anchor 112, and to a lower portion of the vehicle frame viathe lower anchor 714 (e.g., as described above with reference to FIG.6). The web clamp 716 includes a releasable engagement feature thatenables the web clamp 716 to be slidably positioned at differentlocations along the length of the web strap 124 to vary the position ofthe shoulder web portion 106 b of the restraint web 106. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment the web clamp 716 includes a frame 760 thatrotatably supports a release actuator 762. The release actuator 762 canbe coupled to, for example, a cam member that operates in a conventionalmanner to clamp the web clamp 716 to the web strap 124 at differentlocations along the web strap 124 (e.g., as described in detail abovewith reference to FIG. 4). The web clamp 716 further includes a webaperture 722 configured to slidably receive the restraint web 106.

In the illustrated embodiment, however, the D-ring 718 is a two slotD-ring and the lower anchor 714 includes only a single web aperture 726for receiving and securing the lower end portion of the web strap 124 tothe lower anchor 714. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment thefirst portion 106 a of the restraint web 106 extends upwardly from theweb retractor 108 (FIG. 1) behind the web clamp 716 and then through aweb aperture 774 in the first D-ring 718 without passing through any webaperture in the lower anchor 714. From there, the second web portion 106b of the web 106 extends downwardly and passes through the web aperture722 of the web clamp 716. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment theweb strap 124 and the restraint web 106 pass through the same webaperture 774 in the first D-ring 718. In some embodiments, the heightadjuster 110 can include a protective web cover or web guard 776 aroundthe upper end portion of the web strap 124 and configured to reduce thefriction between the web strap 124 and the restraint web 106. Forexample, the protective web cover 776 can be a plastic or metal memberthat enables the restraint web 106 to slide smoothly therearound throughthe web aperture 774 in the first D-ring 718. In other embodiments, thefirst D-ring 718 can be a three slot D-ring, and the restraint web 106and the web strap 124 can extend through separate web apertures in thethree slot D-ring 718 as described in detail above. For example, theupper end portion of the web strap 124 can be attached to a first slotof the three slot D-ring (e.g., a lower slot), the restraint web can beslidably received through a second slot of the three slot D-ring (e.g.,a middle slot), and the anti-cinch feature 240 can be secured to a thirdslot (e.g., an upper slot) of the three slot D-ring. Similarly, in someembodiments the lower anchor 714 can be a two slot D-ring as describedin detail above. For example, the lower end portion of the web strap 124can be attached to a first slot of the two slot D-ring (e.g., an upperslot) and the restraint web 124 can be slidably received through asecond slot of the two slot D-ring (e.g., an upper slot).

In the illustrated embodiment, the web clamp 716 includes a web aperture722 that is larger than the web aperture 122 of the height adjuster 110.Moreover, the web clamp 716 has a length L (e.g., in a direction alongthe web strap 124) that is smaller than a length of the clamp 116 of theheight adjuster 110. In one aspect of the present technology, thesmaller size of the web clamp 716 can allow the web clamp 716 totraverse along and be positioned at a wider range of locations along thelength of the web strap 124.

References throughout the foregoing description to features, advantages,or similar language do not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present technology should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe present technology may be combined in any suitable manner in one ormore embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize thatthe present technology can be practiced without one or more of thespecific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In otherinstances, additional features and advantages may be recognized incertain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of thepresent technology.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, includingany that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporatedherein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, ifnecessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the variousreferences described above to provide yet further implementations of theinvention.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling orconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer tothis application as a whole and not to any particular portions of thisapplication. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription using the singular or plural number may also include theplural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to alist of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretationsof the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,and any combination of the items in the list.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various examples described above can be combined to providefurther implementations of the invention. Some alternativeimplementations of the invention may include not only additionalelements to those implementations noted above, but also may includefewer elements. Further any specific numbers noted herein are onlyexamples: alternative implementations may employ differing values orranges.

While the above description describes various embodiments of theinvention and the best mode contemplated, regardless how detailed theabove text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of thesystem may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while stillbeing encompassed by the present disclosure. As noted above, particularterminology used when describing certain features or aspects of theinvention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is beingredefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific examplesdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also allequivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under theclaims.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thespirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. Further,while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of theinvention have been described above in the context of those embodiments,other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not allembodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within thescope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited,except as by the appended claims.

Although certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the applicantreserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing thisapplication to pursue such additional claim forms, in either thisapplication or in a continuing application.

We claim:
 1. A shock absorbing height adjuster for use with an occupantrestraint system, the height adjuster comprising: an upper anchorconfigured to be fixedly attached to a vehicle frame; a D-ring having aweb aperture configured to slidably receive a restraint web of theoccupant restraint system; an anti-cinch feature operably coupling theD-ring to the upper anchor; a lower anchor configured to be fixedlyattached to the vehicle frame; a web strap operably coupling the D-ringto the lower anchor; and a web locking device slidably coupled to theweb strap, wherein the web locking device includes a web aperture and areleasable engagement feature, wherein the releasable engagement featureenables the web locking device to be locked to the web strap atdifferent positions relative to the upper anchor, and wherein the webaperture of the locking device is configured to slidably receive therestraint web of the occupant restraint system.
 2. The shock absorbingheight adjuster of claim 1 wherein the web locking device is a webclamp, and wherein the releasable engagement feature includes a cammember that enables the web locking device to be clamped to the webstrap at different positions relative to the anchor.
 3. The shockabsorbing height adjuster of claim 1 wherein the lower anchor includes aweb aperture configured to slidably receive the restraint web of theoccupant restraint system.
 4. The shock absorbing height adjuster ofclaim 1 wherein the web aperture of the D-ring is a first web apertureand the D-ring further includes a second web aperture, wherein the loweranchor includes a web aperture, and wherein the web strap extendsthrough the second web aperture in the D-ring and the web aperture inthe lower anchor to couple the D-ring to the lower anchor.
 5. The shockabsorbing height adjuster of claim 4 wherein the web aperture of thelower anchor is a first web aperture and the lower anchor furtherincludes a second web aperture, and wherein the second web aperture ofthe lower anchor is configured to slidably receive the restraint web ofthe occupant restraint system.
 6. The shock absorbing height adjuster ofclaim 5 wherein the D-ring is a three slot D-ring, and wherein the loweranchor is a two slot D-ring.
 7. The shock absorbing height adjuster ofclaim 1, further comprising the restraint web, wherein the restraint webof the occupant restraint system does not extend through any webaperture in the lower anchor.
 8. The shock absorbing height adjuster ofclaim 1 wherein the lower anchor includes a web aperture, and whereinthe web strap extends through the web aperture in the D-ring and the webaperture in the lower anchor to couple the D-ring to the lower anchor.9. The shock absorbing height adjuster of claim 1 wherein the releasableengagement feature includes a release actuator coupled to a cam member,wherein the cam member is configured to engage the web strap to inhibitthe web clamp from moving along the length of the web strap, and whereinthe release actuator is movable to rotate the cam member away from theweb strap to enable the web clamp to slide along the web strap.
 10. Theshock absorbing height adjuster of claim 8 wherein the web clampincludes a biasing member and a frame defining an opening, wherein theweb strap extends through the opening in the frame, wherein the releaseactuator is rotatably coupled to the frame, and wherein the biasingmember is configured to bias the cam member into engagement with the webstrap.
 11. The shock absorbing height adjuster of claim 1 wherein theanti-cinch feature is configured to enable the D-ring to moveelastically downwardly relative to the upper anchor when a tension loadis applied to the restraint web of the occupant restraint system. 12.The shock absorbing height adjuster of claim 1 wherein the anti-cinchfeature includes— a web folded back on itself and having a first endportion attached to the upper anchor and a second end portion attachedto the D-ring; and at least one elastic web portion, wherein the firstand second end portions of the web are securely attached to adjacent endportions of the at least one elastic web portion, and wherein the atleast one elastic web portion is configured to elastically expand when atension load is applied to the restraint web of the occupant restraintsystem.
 13. A height adjuster for adjusting the height of a restraintweb of a vehicle occupant restraint system, the height adjustercomprising: an upper anchor configured to be attached to a vehicleframe; a lower anchor configured to be attached to the vehicle frame; ashock absorber having a lower end portion and an upper end portion,wherein the upper end portion of the shock absorber is coupled to theupper anchor; a web strap having a lower end portion and an upper endportion, wherein the lower end portion of the web strap is coupled tothe lower anchor and the upper end portion of the web strap is coupledto the lower end portion of the shock absorber; and a web clampconfigured to be adjustably positioned along the length of the webstrap, wherein the web clamp includes a web aperture configured toslidably receive the restraint web extending therethrough.
 14. Theheight adjuster of claim 13, further comprising a D-ring operablycoupling the upper end portion of the web strap to the lower end portionof the shock absorber, wherein the D-ring includes a web apertureconfigured to slidably receive the restraint web extending therethrough.15. The height adjuster of claim 13 wherein the lower anchor includes aweb aperture configured to slidably receive the restraint web extendingtherethrough.
 16. The height adjuster of claim 13, further comprising aD-ring operably coupling the upper end portion of the web strap to thelower end portion of the shock absorber, wherein the D-ring includes aweb aperture, wherein the lower anchor includes a web aperture, whereinthe lower end portion of the web strap is looped through the webaperture of the lower anchor and attached thereto, and wherein the upperend portion of the web strap is looped through the web aperture of theD-ring and attached thereto.
 17. The height adjuster of claim 16 whereinthe web aperture of the D-ring is configured to slidably receive therestraint web extending therethrough.
 18. The height adjuster of claim16 wherein the web aperture of the D-ring is a first web aperture andthe D-ring includes a second web aperture, wherein the second webaperture is configured to slidably receive the restraint web extendingtherethrough.
 19. The height adjuster of claim 13 wherein the web clampincludes a release actuator and a cam member coupled to the releaseactuator, wherein the cam member is configured to engage the web strapto inhibit the web clamp from moving along the length of the web strap,and wherein the release actuator is movable to rotate the cam memberaway from the web strap to enable the web clamp to slide along thelength of the web strap.
 20. The height adjuster of claim 13, furthercomprising the restraint web.